October 14, 2018
GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Hall County
Gainesville, GA (October 14, 2018) – On Sunday, October 14, 2018, the GBI was requested by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office to conduct an officer involved shooting investigation involving members of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team, comprised of deputies from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Gainesville Police Department. Preliminary information indicates that on October 13, 2018, around 6:00 p.m., deputies of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a man pointing a gun at neighbors around his residence located at 3185 Truelove Road, Gainesville, Hall County, GA. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the complainants who advised that their neighbor, James Christopher Manus, 41, pointed a pistol at numerous residents in the area and set fire to his neighbor’s well house. Deputies attempted to speak with Manus on the porch of his residence when he retreated inside. The deputies observed that Manus was armed with a handgun at the time. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team was called to assist. After a six-hour standoff, during which a hostage negotiator attempted to communicate with Manus, Manus fired at SWAT Team members while standing in the doorway of the residence. Multiple deputies and SWAT Team members returned fire at Manus, resulting in his death.
No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident.
The GBI will continue its independent investigation. Once complete, it will be turned over to the Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney for review.